Why does the work of this golden age writer form the focus of our new club?
Well, I’m an avid reader of detective fiction, and Margery Allingham is—by some margin—my all-time favourite “queen of crime”. I’ve been delighted and inspired by her writing for many years, and it’s a huge pleasure to channel that inspiration into a new collection of designs, as well as to have an opportunity to read ten classic Allingham novels together with club members, and share her wonderful work with those of you who might still be unaware of just how brilliant she is.
Margery Allingham was a writer of detective fiction’s golden age, and the patterns I’ve created for this collection reflect the modernist, can-do aesthetic of that time, as well as the fun, vim, and variety that I feel are chief characteristics of Allingham herself.
One of the things that’s so refreshing about Allingham’s novels is that (unlike those of some of her contemporaries) there’s no predictable formula. Each book is different from the next, and each carries its own genuine surprises. Like an innovative knitter, experimenting with a brand new cast on or an interesting way of turning short rows, Allingham is always willing to try something different in her writing, to take genre itself in new directions, to rip it up, and start again.
Which of her contemporaries would have deftly transformed their detective from foppish gentleman adventurer to world-weary war-time spy, or pushed at the very boundaries of the crime novel itself, from Sweet Danger’s wild and whacky rural romp to the gripping 24-hour-thriller action of Hide my Eyes? Who else could paint the characters and colours of London’s Barrow (Harrow) Road just as vividly as those of Essex village life? Which other golden age writer might leave the reader drop jawed, open mouthed, and roaring with laughter, all in the course of a few pages?
And who else but Margery Allingham could write just as acutely, and just as disarmingly, of Britain’s shifting manners and mores at the turn of the 1960s as she did in the 1920s beginnings of her career?
Margery Allingham was continually curious about what made people tick, through time. In her plots, both teenagers and the elderly play unusually important roles, as she explored the intergenerational differences that defined her age. Never stuffy, never snobbish, there’s food for thought and entertainment in every single book. And whether you read just one novel, or all ten titles on our club reading list, you’ll find them ideal summer reads.
. . . Margery Allingham also loved dogs (their intelligence, their joyful anarchy) . . .
. . . and she once appeared in an advertisement for Martini.
So what are you having? A foaming tankard of Honesty Bull’s nut brown ale or a sparkling flute of champers? Tea from a china cup or (Miss Jessica insists) a tansy tisane sipped from one of the family’s last “best” glasses? Whatever your preference, you’ll be refreshed and inspired, as we explore ten tip-top novels of detective fiction’s golden age in KDD’s Summer of Mystery!
You had me at Margery Allingham! One of my favourites, too, I am so excited about this!
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I just signed up for the club, and I very much look forward to it. On the welcome package, there is an example of swatch. Would you be able to let us know which color is A, B, C, D, and E on that particular swatch? I think this would be very helpful in our own selection.
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Hi All the books are available on Kindle and the most expensive one is £5.99.
I think one of your followers once mentioned the Miss Silver books by Patricia Wentworth. They are fun reading as well.
I hope the garden is doing well and Bob is continuing to behave himself.
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Hi All the books are available on Kindle and the most expensive one is £5.99.
I think one of your followers once mentioned the Miss Silver books by Patricia Wentworth. They are fun reading as well.
I hope the garden is doing well and Bob is continuing to behave himself.
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Beyond excited for this club! Knitting, Golden age crime fiction and more of your wonderful essays – heaven!
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What a great idea! I came to MA by way of Lord Peter Wimsey. I never understood why Josephine Tey was not included in this group of mystery writers, she is of the same vintage. And Ngiao Marsh is from New Zealand, so not really English. But I do think they are all delightful and I’m looking forward to this club. Thank you.
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My sister has read these books and liked them. Off to my library!
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We have a wonderful and beautifully curated charity bookshop locally, Chapter Two in Chesham, Bucks. I found three of the ten books there in vintage paperbacks today. Looking forward to the club! Elizabeth
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Hurrah for wonderful charity bookshops!
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Sorry, where does it list which books will be read for the Club? I signed up but haven’t, to my knowledge, received any information about the reading selection yet. Please advise. Thank you!
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Sorry, where does it list which books will be read for the Club? I signed up but haven’t, to my knowledge, received any information about the reading selection yet. Please advise. Thank you!
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When you signed up, you should have received a club welcome pack to download, which includes the full club timetable and reading list. If you’ve not received this, check your spam folder, and if it’s not there email Maylin – help@katedaviesdesigns.com
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Found the email, but the link doesn’t work. I’ve emailed Help. Thank you!
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I signed up immediately and ordered the first four novels. I, too, love mysteries, the time period, and of course, knitting. This sounds like lots of fun!
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I’m hesitating because I still get a blank page when I click on the link “Read more of this post” in your email, and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to read any of the material you’ll be posting for the club. Otherwise, I’m all in — haven’t read all of her books, but loved the ones I did. Thanks –
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there won’t be any material for the club posted here on the blog – all of the club material will be contained in a newsletter, delivered directly to your inbox. I’m honestly not sure what the problem is with the link in the email from the blog – I’m sorry you are having this trouble
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Thanks for prompt response. I’m in! Theo Ewers
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I completely agree with you about Allingham’s place and importance in British (or all) detective fiction. She is the best! All of the knitters discovering her for the first time are in for a treat.
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For those of us who like to listen to books while we knit many of MA’s novels are available on Audible. Will we be reading them in publication order? Downloading now!
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the list of ten books we are covering in the club will be covered in publication order – but they also work well as standalone novels, and you can pick and choose and double back if you like. There’s a reading list & information about book formats in your welcome pack. Beware abridged audiobooks!
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I believe I recognize the taller silver tea pot (I think for extra water) on the tea table. It looks just like one that is Old Sheffield plate made by Matthew Boulton C. 1770. His hallmark was two sun marks on the bottom of the piece.
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wow – thank you Carole!
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How fun! I love mystery novels and I happen to be visiting my parent at the moment who have a huge collection. I was able to shop this morning on their shelves for 7 out of 10 of the Margery Allingham books. I’m really looking forward to this!
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hurrah for your parents’ excellent collection!
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Margery Allingham is an author I’ve never read, despite being a great reader of detective fiction, especially from the ‘golden age’ of detectives. I love the combination of books and knitting as a club and am really looking forward to t his.
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I discovered MA when I challenged myself to read all the crime books in my local library. I was 11. I have re-read all her books multiple times since. I’m now 64. This club will give me a reason to revisit them and give me more insight into their settings and the author. I loved Tom’s film of the Essex marshes.The knitting patterns remind me of those my mother had kept from the 1940s onwards. Top left could be a an inspiration for the Possit from Colour Compass!?
In honour of a Person of importance or the Vulgarian will there be any mens patterns this time?
I’m really looking forward to this club and multi tasking reading and knitting. Thank you.
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Good morning,
I am not sure yet whether I will subscribe to this new club. I am afraid the patterns will be very vintage and that is not my style at all.
Could you please say a little more so I will know what to do?
Best regards,
Claudia Smits
>
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Hi Claudia, I’ll be saying more about the patterns in coming days, but I can assure you they are still very “me” while having some elements inspired by that era
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